UMW Toyota launches all new Toyota Avanza in Sarawak *latest!

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NEW AVANZA: Ismail (left), Ibrahim (front row, third left), Hussein (front row, fourth left) and Andre (right) join Best Motors sales staff in ushering in the all new Avanza, Toyota’s first launch for the new year.

KUCHING: UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMW Toyota) introduced the first model for this year at the official launching of the new Toyota Avanza here yesterday.

The new generation of the seven seater multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) was a continuation of the successful model which had sold over 140,000 units up until the end of last year and was the best selling non-national model for three years in a row from 2005 to 2007.

In his speech at the Avanza’s nationwide media launch recently, president of UMW Toyota Ismet Suki stated, “The first generation of the Toyota Avanza was launched in October 2004 and was an immediate hit among the Malaysian public.

“We introduce the all new Avanza which has been developed based on customer feedback. Our product planning team at UMW Toyota Motor, together with the Avanza team at Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan has worked very hard to provide the right package for our customers’ satisfaction.

“It is yet another example of our company’s theme of ‘One team, customer first’ which sets high priority and attention to customers’ needs.”

According to Ismet, the company had received more than 710 bookings for the new vehicle since early last month and was targeting sales of 8,800 units this year.

There were four variants of the new Avanza, namely the 1.5S, 1.5G, 1.5E which came with four-speed automatic transmission and the 1.3E which was configured with a five-speed manual transmission.

The on the road prices (with insurance) of the variants were listed as RM81,439.85, RM79,148.81, RM74,471.22 and RM66,515.97 respectively.

Both engine types (1.5-litre 3SZ-VE and 1.3-litre K3-VE) were four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC with Toyota’s proprietary Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) technology.

All variants came with anti-lock braking systems (ABS), collapsible steering columns, electric power steering, high mount stop lamps, dual blower air-conditioner systems, fabric seats, 50-50 split fold second and third row seats and

The new Avanza retained the practical and dynamic design of a compact MPV with some significant changes to the look such as a wider styling front outlook and shallower windscreen angle, giving an overall sportier profile as well as improved aerodynamics.

Meanwhile, the interior was given a more modern touch with a new black interior theme and a lower dashboard with a two-tone colour theme to give a wider and more open feel for the front occupants.

The state launch for the vehicle was conducted at the new 3S (sales, service and spare parts) premises of Best Motors Corporation Sdn Bhd (Best Motors) located along Jalan Semariang in Petra Jaya.

Present at the launch yesterday were Best Motors managing director of Ismail Saufi, board director Ibrahim Mohamad, senior sales manager Hussein Ali Hassan and advisor to the board Andre Suharto.

According to Andre, there had been good response to the new model with an ‘encouraging’ number of bookings made and deliveries of orders to be made next month.

The new showroom has been in operation since November 9, 2011 and an official launch was slated for this early year.